Aerosol spray container for receiving a fluid commodity dispensing pressurized cartridge



June 18, 1968 P, MARCH T 3,388,838

AEROSOL SPRAY CONTAINER FOR RECE NG A FLUID COMMODITY DISPENSINGPRESSURIZED CARTRIDGE Filed Feb. 13, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v //v VENTORR404 A. MARCfi/ANT av H/s ATTORNEY-5 HAEE/5Z /\//CH, P055541. KEEN June18, 1968 P. A. MARCHANT 3,388,833

AEROSOL SPRAY CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING A FLUID COMMODITY DISPENSINGPRESSURIZED CARTRIDGE Filed Feb. 13, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 I INVENTOR.

R4u4 A. MARCH/4N7.

er HIS Amen/5V9 HA/ae/s, Mac/7; RUSSELL 8.- KERN United States Patent3,388,838 AEROSOL SPRAY CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING A FLUID (C(EMMGDHTYDISPENSING PRESSUR- IZED CARTRIDGE Paul A. Marchant, Kansas City, Mo.,assignor to Rexall Drug and Chemical (Iornpany, Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 615,461 1 Claim.(Cl. 222-]l93) ABSTRAQT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A thin, flexible walledaerosol container having a neck for tightly receiving and supporting afluid commodity dispensing, pressurized cartridge in the container, andan air by-pass between the main body and neck of the container which isonly closed upon the seating of and by the cartridge in the container,whereby the cartridge may be rapidly inserted into the container withoutbuilding up air pressures which might otherwise deform or damage thethin walled container.

The present invention relates to improvements in aerosol spraydispensers and, more particularly, to a novel aerosol spray containerfor receiving a fluid commodity dispensing pressurized cartridge.

Aerosol spray dispensers commonly comprise a container filled with aliquid commodity under pressure, a valve for dispensing controlledamounts of the commodity from the container, and a nozzle for sprayingthe commodity on or at predetermined articles or portions of the body.

To maintain the commodity under pressure, it is necessary that theaerosol spray container be sturdy and airtight. For this reason,aerosol, spray containers presently take the form of rigid metalcylinders. Great care is exercised during manufacture of the metalcylinders to insure that they are truly airtight and that thepressurized commodity will not leak around the valves contained therein.Because of the care required in manufacture and the use of metalmaterial, conventional aerosol spray dispensers are rather expensiveitems, particularly when compared with the cost of the commoditycontained therein.

Furthermore, although the cylindrical shape of aerosol containers isentirely satisfactory from the structural standpoint, it leaves much tobe desired from a packaging and marketing standpoint.

Accordingly, attempts have been made to develop relatively inexpensiveaerosol containers and dispensers of different shape. In particular,experiments have been made with plastic materials which can be readilymolded to produce different shape containers. Unfortunately, for plasticcontainers to withstand deformation by the pressurized commodity, therequired wall thickness is such that the manufacturing and materialcosts exceed those associated with the metal containers.

There has recently been developed a relatively small aerosol cartridgeincluding a metal cylinder filled with a fluid, such as freon, underpressure. A valve having a spray nozzle thereon is stationed at a top ofthe cylinder and a tube extends from the valve through the cylinder. Thecylinder is designed for mounting in a container storing a liquid orpowdered commodity and to dispense the commodity upon operation of thevalve. In particular, operation of the valve releases pressurized fluidfrom the cylinder over the end of the tube to draw the commodity fromthe container through the spray nozzle.

Since the pressurized cartridge does not require an airtight containerfor housing the commodity to be dispensed,

Patented June 18, 1968 tests were conducted to determine the feasibilityof employing such a cartridge in an inexpensive container having thinflexible side walls and, in particular, in molded plastic containers ofvarious sizes and shapes. Due to the weight of the fluid filledcartridge, it was found necessary to securely support the cartridgewithin the container to prevent separation of the cartridge and the neckof the container u-pon handling and movement of the container. Ofcourse, to prevent escape of the liquid commodity, at least a liquidtight friction fit is required between the neck of the container and thecartridge. These factors pose serious problems which, heretofore, haveprevented the efficient and rapid combination of the pressurizedcartridge in a thin flexible walled container without permanentlydamaging or deforming the container.

In particular, as the pressurized cartridge slides tightly into andthrough the neck of the container, air pressure builds up in thecontainer causing the side walls thereof to bow outwardly. Rapidmovement of the cartridge into the container may cause the container toblow out or the side walls to be permanently deformed. Alternatively,the pressures developed in the container may be suflicient to preventthe cartridge from moving into the container.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved aerosol spray dispenser which incorporates thepressurized cartridge and an inexpensive container having thin flexibleside walls and does so in an efficient manner which permits rapidinsertion of the cartridge into the container without developingundesired high air pressures in the container and without noticeablydeforming the side walls of the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thin flexiblewalled container for tightly receiving and supporting a pressurizedcartridge therein without deforming during insertion of the cartridgeinto the container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol spraydispenser of the foregoing character including a by-pass in its neck forpassing air from the container to atmosphere as the cartridge isintroduced thereto, thereby preventing the build-up of undesired airpressure in the container and of bowing out of the thin flexible sidewalls.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelaerosol spray container including a by-pass of the foregoing characteradapted for closing by the pressurized cartridge when the cartridge isfully seated in the container.

The foregoing as well as other objects and advantages of the presentinvention may be more clearly understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered with the drawings which, by Way ofexample, illustrate two forms of aerosol spray dispensers embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of one form of the aerosol spraydispenser including a pressurized cartridge stationed within a thinflexible walled container;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3illustrating the air by-pass means in the neck of the container;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the neck of thecontainer illustrating the manner in which air passes through theby-pass around the cartridge as it is inserted tightly into thecontainer thereby preventing the undesired build-up of air pressureswithin the container;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second form of the container with a fragmentbroken away to expose the liquid commodity within the container and thelevel thereof prior to the insertion of the pressurized cartridgetherein;

FIG. 7 is a sectional top view taken along the lines 77 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the container taken along the line 88in FIG. 7 with the pressurized cartridge seated Within the container;and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional side view of a neck portion of thecontainer illustrating the air by-pass in the neck and the passage ofair therethrough around the cartridge as it is inserted into thecontainer.

In the drawings, the aerosol spray dispenser is represented by thenumeral 10 and, generally speaking, comprises a pressurized cartridge 12seated Within a container 14 including air by-pass means 16 in its neck13. The air by-pass means 16 allows air to escape from the container 14as the cartridge is inserted therein and thereby prevents the build-upof air pressures within the container. The container 14- therefor mayhave thin flexible walls 20 and may be formed of a lightweightinexpensive material, such as a plastic. In addition, the cartridge 12may be rapidly introduced and seated in such a container without fear ofpermanently damaging or deforming the container. Furthermore, byemploying plastic materials, the container 14 may be inexpensivelyformed in various sizes and shapes which are pleasing to the eye andmore saleable than conventional cylindrical containers presentlyemployed in aerosol spray dispensers.

More particularly, in the dispenser 10 illustrated in FIGS. l5, thecartridge 12 comprises a hollow cylinder or housing 22 having afunnel-shaped bottom 24 and a closed top 26. Annular seams 28 and 3textend around the cylinder 22 adjacent thetop 26 to define an enlargedtop portion for the cylinder. A conventional slide valve 32 is supportedin the top 26 of the cylinder 22 and extends upwardly thereforni toreceive a spray nozzle 34. Within the cylinder 22, the valve 32 receivesthe top end of a tube 36 which extends downwardly through the funnelbottom 24 of the cylinder 22. The cylinder 22 is of airtightconstruction to prevent a fluid 38, such as freon, under pressure, fromleaking around the valve 32 or around the tube 36 through the funnelbottom 24 of the cylinder 22.

In operation, downward movement of the spray nozzle 34 causes a stem 40to move downwardly within the body of the slide valve 32. As thisoccurs, side ports 44 in the valve body are opened to permit freon topass upwardly into the valve body and through an exit port 46 around thestem 40 into the spray nozzle 34. Within the spray nozzle 34, the freontravels along a passageway 48 over the top of the stem 40 and outwardlyfrom the spray nozzle. As the freon passes over the end of the stem 40,a negative or suction pressure is developed within the stem 40 whichcommunicates with the tube 36. The suction draws the fluid commodity 50from within the container 14 upwardly through the tube 36, stem 4% andoutwardly from the spray nozzle 34 with the freon. By properly pointingthe spray nozzle 34, the commodity may be sprayed at predeterminedarticles or at predetermined portions of the body depending upon thecharacter of the commodity.

In FIGS. 1-5, the container 14 for receiving the pres- The neck 18, onthe other hand, extends upwardly from the upper ends of the side walls21 around an open top 56 of the main body portion 52 andcompriscsannular top-most, central, and lower portions 53, 6t and 62.

The top-most portion 53 is dimensioned to loosely re ceive lower andmain portions of the cylinder 22 and to tightly receive and hold theenlarged top portion of the cylinder. In this regard, the cylinder 22 isfree to pass through the top-most portion 58 while the annular seam 30makes a tight friction contact with the inner wall of the topmostportion and the annular seam 28 rests on a shoulder formed by an annularrecess 6 in the inner wall to seal the top of the neck 18 just as thecylinder 2 is inserted fully into the container 14. The seal formed bythe tight friction contact between the annular seam 3d and the innerwall of the top-most portion 58 need not be airtight. However, it mustbe liquid tight to prevent exit of the commodity upon a tipping of thecontainer 14.

The lower portion 62 of the neck is continuous with the side walls 29 ofthe container 14, extends upwardly therefrom, and is dimensioned tofreely receive the cylinder 22 as it is inserted into the container 14.

Conversely, the central portion 60 of the neck 18 is adapted to tightlyreceive, guide, and support the cylinder 22 as it is inserted into andseated in the container '14. In this respect, the inner wall of thecentral portion 60 is dimensioned to tightly engage and make firmfriction contact with the exterior of the cylinder 22 and to produce aliquid tight seal therebetween.

The by-pass means 16 are located in the central portion 6 3 of the neck18, and in the illustrated form of the dispenser 1t) comprise fourequally spaced channels 66. The channels 66 extend vertically along thecentral portion 69 with ends open to the lower portion 62 and to theupper portion 58 along the inner side walls thereof.

The function of the channels 66 is most clearly depicted in FIGS. 3 and5. As illustrated, as the cylinder 22 is inserted into the neck 18 ofthe container 14, the outer surface of the cylinder only engages andslides along the inner surface of the central portion 60-the cylinderbeing loosely received by the top-most portion 58 and by the lowerportion 62 of the neck. This means that as the lower end of the cylinder22 enters the main body 52, air in the container 14 is forced upwardlythrough the lower portion 62, channels 66, and top-most portion 58around the cylinder and out of the container. Such an escape of air fromthe container 14 allows the commodity 50 to rise within the containerupon the insertion of the cartridge 12 without creating air pressureswhich would tend to deform the container.

It is only when the enlarged top portion of the cylinder 22 enters theneck 18 that the free escape of air from the container is blocked. Inparticular, as the top portion of the cylinder 22 enters the neck 1'8,the seam 30 rides tightly down the inner wall of the top-most portion 58to seal the neck 18 and block the by-pass 16 defined by the channels 66.Any air captured within the container 14 upon closure of the by-pass 16is at substantially atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the closure of theby-pass 16 and the sealing of the container has no noticeable effectupon the shape or operation of the disperser 19.

Since the by-pass means 16 prevent the build-up of air pressure in thecontainer 14, the cartridge 12 may be rapidly inserted into the thinwalled plastic container without fear of a blowing out or otherwisepermanently deforming or damaging the thin side walls of the container.Likewise, because of the by-pass means 16, air pressures are preventedfrom developing in the container 14 which might otherwise retard therate of entry of the cartridge into the container. This means that thedispenser of the present invention may be rapidly and simply assembled.

A second form of the dispenser 10 embodying the previously describedfeatures is illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 wherein like reference numeralswith a prime notation are utilized to denote elements similar to thosein FIGS. 1-5.

As represented, the pressurized cartridge 12 is the same as thecartridge 12 illustrated in FIG. 1. The container 14' however, isgenerally cylindrical in shape and includes a bell-shaped top portionwhich converges upwardly into the neck 18 of the container.

The neck 18' is also generally cylindrical and comprises an annulartop-most portion 58' and an adjacent lower portion 60. The top-mostportion 58' is dimensioned to loosely receive the lower and mainportions of the cyl inder 22 and to tightly receive and hold theenlarged top portion of the cylinder as it is inserted downwardly intothe container 14'. In this regard, the main body of the cylinder 22'fits freely through the top-most portion 58 while the annular seam 30'tightly engages and creates a liquid tight seal between the cartridge 12and the topmost portion 58' of the neck 18.

The lower portion 60 of the neck 18' is dimensioned totightly receiveand slideably engage the outer surface of the cylinder 22' as thecartridge 12' is inserted into the container 14'. Accordingly, but forthe by-pass means 16', air would be captured within the container 14' asthe cartridge 12 is inserted therein.

In this regard, the by-pass means 16' comprise two diametricallyopposite channels 66 formed in the lower portion 62 of the neck 18. Thelower ends of the channel 66' open to the cylindrical main portion 52'of the container 14' while the upper ends open into the top-mostportions 58 of the neck 18 along the inner wall thereof.

Accordingly, and as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 9, as the cylinder22 is inserted into the container 14' through the neck 18', air in themain portion 52 passes upwardly around the cylinder, through thechannels 66' and out of the neck 18'.

The escape of air from the container 14' continues while the cylinder22' is moved downwardly into the container to prevent the build-up ofair pressure which might otherwise blow out or permanently deform thethin walled container or, alternatively, resist entry of the cartridge12' into the container.

Then, as the enlarged top portion of the cylinder 22 is inserted intothe neck 18', the annular seam 30' engages the inner surface of thetop-most portion 58'. As this occurs, the open top of the neck 18' issealed to block the by-pass means defined by the channels 66 therebycreating a liquid tight seal for the cartridge 12 within the container14.

From the foregoing, it is appreciated that the present inventionprovides an improved aerosol spray dispenser which incorporates apressurized cartridge and an inexpensive container having thin flexiblesidewalls and does so in an efficient manner which permits rapidinsertion of the cartridge into the container without developingundesired air pressures in the container and without noticeablydeforming the side walls of the container.

While particular forms of aerosol spray dispensers having the foregoingfeatures have been described in some detain herein, changes andmodifications may be made in the illustrated forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that thepresent invention be limited in scope only by the terms of the followingclaim.

I claim:

1. An aerosol spray dispenser comprising:

(a) A pressurized aerosol cartridge including a hollow body containing amedium under pressure and an enlarged top on the body, a tube throughsaid hollow body for passing a commodity from a receptacle in which saidcartridge is mounted, and a valve for releasing said medium from thebody over an upper end of said tube to draw the commodity therewith fromthe receptacle through the tube;

(b) A hollow receptacle for receiving the commodity to be dispensed bysaid cartridge, said receptacle including an open top, a sealed bottomand flexible sidewalls;

(c) A neck extending from said sidewalls around said open top of thereceptacle for receiving said cartridge as it is introduced into thereceptacle, said neck including a top-most portion for loosely receivingthe lower end and central portions of said hollow body and for tightlyreceiving and holding said enlarged top portion as said cartridge isinserted downwardly into said receptacle, and a lower portion adjacentsaid topmost portion for tightly receiving, guiding, and supporting saidhollow body in said receptacle; and

(d) An air passageway in said lower neck portion for passing air fromthe receptacle to atmosphere as said cartridge is introduced into saidreceptacle to thereby prevent the build-up of undesired pressures insaid receptacle, and for closing when said cartridge is seated in saidreceptacle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,758,879 8/1956 Anderson 222-2092,888,208 5/1959 'Fedit 239-308 3,257,025 6/1966 Jolly 222-183 X3,289,949 12/1966 Roth 239-308 X 3,323,686 6/1967 Roth 222-399 X3,326,469 6/ 1967 Abplanalp et at. 222-399 X FOREIGN PATENTS 890,348 2/1962 Great Britain.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH N. LEIMER, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 3,388,838 PatentedJune 18, 1968 Paul A. Marchant Ap lication having been made by Paul A.Marchant, the inventor named in the patent a ve identified, and the ImcoContainer Company, the assignee for the issuance of a certificate underthe provisions of Title 35, Section 256 of the United States Code,adding the name of Robert A. Coerver, Jr. to the patent as a jointinventor, and a showin and proof of facts satisfying the requirements ofthe said section having been submitted, it is this 30th day of December1969, certified that the name of the said Robert A. 1(oerxger, Jr. ishereby added to the said patent as a joint inventor with the said PaulA. are ant.

LUTRELLE F. PARKER,

Law Examiner.

